THUNDER BAY – Mayor Keith Hobbs called Duluth Mayor Don Ness to offer assistance to the City of Duluth, which is dealing with a declared disaster resulting from rainfall on Tuesday and Wednesday.
“I called to say Thunder Bay’s hearts and thoughts are with the people of Duluth and, having just dealt with a disaster, the City of Thunder Bay stands with our Sister City, ready to assist,” Mayor Hobbs said.
Fire Chief John Hay is contacting the Duluth Fire Chief today to offer emergency assistance.
Donation: The Northwestern Ontario Building and Construction Trades Council raised $11,000 for the Disaster Relief Fund.
Today, Terry Webb, President of the Northwestern Ontario Building and Construction Trades Council, and Glen Drewes, Business Manager of Local 402 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, presented the donation to Committee Chair Wayne Fletcher.
“Nothing can replace many of the personal belongings that were lost due to water damage,” Drewes said. “The affiliates of this Council recognize that extraordinary effort will be required to get our lives back to normal. This is our way of giving something back to our community.”
Fletcher thanked the Building and Construction Trades Council for its donation.
“On behalf of the people recovering from Thunder Bay’s Flood Emergency, thank you to the Building and Construction Trades Council for this amazing donation. The Province of Ontario has pledged to match all donations to the Thunder Bay Disaster Relief Fund, so this donation will go even further to help residents in their time of need.”
Public Meetings: In keeping with the commitment made at the June 2 public meetings, the City of Thunder Bay is holding another set of public meetings on Saturday, June 23.
Meetings will include an update and questions & answers followed by an opportunity to pick up claim forms and ask specific questions. Meetings will be held as follows:
Slovak Legion, 801 Atlantic Avenue, 1 to 2:30 pm
Moose Hall, 434 Fort William Road, 4 to 5:30 pm
Infrastructure: Roads, bridges and trails are in good shape after the last few days of rain, said Darrell Matson, General Manager – Infrastructure & Operations. The Atlantic Avenue Water Pollution Control Plant continues to process normal flows and work is being done to repair areas damaged by the flood, a process that will be ongoing for many months.
Solid Waste: The Mapleward Road Solid Waste & Recycling Facility returns to a six-day schedule, open from Monday to Saturday. Flood vouchers are still being accepted at the Solid Waste & Recycling Facility. To assist residents and businesses affected by the flood, the City of Thunder Bay will continue the special free of charge large rubbish collection.
Safe Home Clean-up Program: More than 520 homeowners have registered for clean-up assistance through the Safe Home clean-up program through the City’s Facilities & Fleet Department, working with contractors.
Initial contact has been made with all homes. The focus of the ongoing clean-up is on making homes safe and to address health issues. There are only 52 homes needing assistance as of today, said Michael Smith, General Manager – Facilities and Fleet.
Disaster Relief Committee: Donations to the Thunder Bay Disaster Relief Fund can be made at the Thunder Bay 55 Plus Centre on River Street, the Canada Games Complex, Volunteer Pool, Churchill Pool and the Victoriaville Civic Centre Cashiers.
Only donations to the Disaster Relief Committee Fund will be matched by the Province. City Clerk John Hannam reminds residents affected by the flood that the claims process will take some time.